(The Center Square) – About 30 pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested on Monday night after occupying a University of Washington building and lighting dumpster fires. A separate unrelated event scheduled for Tuesday night has officials worried there could be more on-campus protests.
In a social media post, the “Super UW” group – Students United for Palestinian Equality and Return – stated that it occupied the Interdisciplinary Engineering Building to demand the university cut ties with Boeing, a major employer of UW engineering graduates.
The protesters’ anger concerns a $10 million donation made by Boeing toward the construction of the $90 million learning facility in 2022. Super UW alleges that Boeing made the donation in exchange for influence over curriculum. The group also cited concerns about the company’s military contracts, particularly those related to the Israel Defense Forces and its operations in Gaza. Super UW demands that the university sever ties with Boeing.
“The University of Washington is a direct partner in the genocide of the Palestinian people through its allegiance to its partnership with Boeing,” the group wrote on social media.
The University of Washington could be in store for more protests Tuesday night, as Turning Point USA is hosting an event on campus featuring Riley Gaines, a former University of Kentucky swim team member. Gaines is now primarily known for her opposition to transgender athletes competing in women’s sports, having voiced her concerns about fairness and safety for female athletes in competition with transgender women.
A previous Turning Point USA presentation on campus – “Protect Women from Men: The Threat of the Trans Agenda” – was cancelled in January after student protesters disrupted the event.
On Monday, the protesters blocked access to two streets outside the Interdisciplinary Engineering Building as well as entrances and exits to the building. They also set fires in two dumpsters on a street outside. Several law enforcement agencies responded to the protest.
Officers started clearing the area outside the building around 10:30 p.m. before moving into the building at 11 p.m. and removing the occupiers.
The protesters who entered the building were arrested and charged with trespassing, property destruction and disorderly conduct. UW officials stated in a press release that they will be referred to the King County Prosecutor’s Office.
“The UW is committed to maintaining a secure learning and research environment, and strongly condemns this illegal building occupation and the antisemitic statement that was issued by a suspended student group Monday,” UW Assistant Vice President for Communications Victor Balta said in a news release. “The University will not be intimidated by this sort of offensive and destructive behavior and will continue to oppose antisemitism in all its forms.”
Any students identified as being involved will also be referred to the Student Conduct Office, according to the news release.
